The Inclusion Support Services (ISS) program at York Region supports the active and meaningful participation of children with special needs in licensed child care programs. As per Ontario Regulation 138/15, a “child with special needs” means a child whose cognitive, physical, social, emotional or communicative needs, or whose needs relating to overall development, are of such a nature that additional supports are required for the child.
To ensure equal access to programming, an ISS Early Interventionist from York Region will collaborate with the early learning and child care program requiring support to implement inclusive practices. This program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
All program requests or individual referrals for early learning and child care programs must be submitted through the ISS Online Referral process, from the licensed child care provider. The ISS Online Referral process will assist York Region’s ISS program in determining the appropriate support or services required to promote inclusion of all children in licensed child care programs.
After identifying the necessary support, you may be required to obtain consent to share information from parents/guardians of the child before submitting the referral.
Please call the KIDS Line at 1-888-703-KIDS (5437) for more information and to be directed to an intake worker who will:
Please discuss any concerns with your early learning and child care provider. They can help you to understand the supports and services available to you and initiate a referral to Inclusion Support Services as required.
If you have concerns with your child’s hearing, vision or speech and language development, you may call the KIDS Line at 1-888-703-KIDS (5437) for more information and to be directed to an intake worker who will:
